Hidden and Uncontrolled - On the Emergence of Network Steganographic Threats

Network steganography is the art of hiding secret information within innocent network transmissions. Recent findings indicate that novel malware is increasingly using network steganography. Similarly, other malicious activities can profit from network steganography, such as data leakage or the exchange of pedophile data. This paper provides an introduction to network steganography and highlights its potential application for harmful purposes. We discuss the issues related to countering network steganography in practice and provide an outlook on further research directions and problems.Comment: 11 page

Data quality and transit delay analysis for historical AVL data based on the SIRI protocol

Master's thesis in Computer scienceTraffic agencies are investing in advanced technologies to improve their services. An automatic vehicle monitoring (AVM) system with vehicle location provides vehicles with a device to record information. In a bus transit system, vehicles transmit information about the trip to an external server each time it arrives at a destined terminal. The instant benefit is to create a real time overview of the system, giving the agency the ability to monitor the system and locate delays and problems faster. However, storing this information creates a valuable dataset of transit information. The collected data may be explored, visualized and analyzed to find patterns, tendencies and other useful information which can contribute to make improvements on the bus system. In this thesis, historical data from four routes located in Stavanger was used as a case study. The data was collected from an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system using the Service Interface for Real Time Information (SIRI) standard. The thesis focuses on the development of trip delay on the bus stop level, delta delay for locating bottlenecks as well as the quality of the data analyzed

Message threads: Exploring interpersonal communication through smartphones: how we weave our lives in a hypermediated world

This thesis is about human behaviour as it relates to computer mediated communication. Smartphones are an accepted part of everyday life. We use them to wake us up in the morning, we play games on them while we wait for the bus, and take photos with them. Smartphones also enable communication. We can phone while in transit, coordinate meeting up with friends, share our lives on social networking sites, and check in on email and text throughout the day. How does this technology affect how we interact? In public situations we retain contact online, but this multitasking affects how we relate to others socially. Smartphone texting allows us to keep in constant touch with friends and family, though interaction is fragmented and asynchronous. As we are always available, and never alone, these open lines of communication also affect how we see ourselves. In choosing the smartphone I critically question the attention and priority given to these devices in daily life. Mobile phones have changed the soundscape in public places: dialtones, beeps and people speaking in public on their phones is common. Users interact continually with their phones, store substantial data on them, communicate through, and consequently develop a bond to, the physical object. What could these ubiquitous portable computers tell us if, instead of being passive agents in a dependent relationship of user and phone, they actively listened, or could reflect back the nature of their role in our lives

Дослідження системи операційного менеджменту організації, на прикладі Apple Computer, Inc

The object of investigation is the process of managing of operating activities of Apple, Inc. The aim of the work is to formulate theoretical approaches and to develop practical recommendations on directions of improvement of operating management at the organization. Research methods cover methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, detailing, system approach. This master’s research paper analyzes the operational management of Apple, Inc. and provides recommendations for it’s improvement. In particular, the main directions of solving the problems of operational management of the company have been outlined, the proposals on improvement of expansion distribution network and organization of innovative activity of the Apple Inc. have been made.Об'єкт дослідження ‒ процес управління операційною діяльністю компанії Apple, Inc. Мета дослідження - формування теоретичних підходів та розробка практичних рекомендацій щодо напрямів вдосконалення системи операційного менеджменту компанії Apple, Inc. Методи дослідження: методи аналізу, синтезу, порівняння, деталізації, системний підхід. У роботі проведено аналіз операційного менеджменту Apple, Inc., а також викладені рекомендації щодо його вдосконалення. Зокрема, окреслено основні напрями вирішення проблем операційного менеджменту компанії, внесено пропозиції щодо розширення дистриб’юторської мережі, а також вдосконалення організації інноваційної діяльності Apple Inc.Introduction 6 CHAPTER 1 THE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT 8 1.1 Meanings and definition of operational management 8 1.2 Principles and methods of operations management 12 1.3 Factors affecting the Operations activity of Apple Inc. company 21 CHAPTER 2 RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS 31 2.1 Сompany introduction 31 2.2 SWOT - analysis of Apple Inc. Company 46 2.3 Analysis of operation management at Apple Inc 50 CHAPTER 3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING OF OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AT THE APPLE INC 63 3.1 The main directions of solving operational management problems of the company 63 3.2 Recommendations concerning improvements of Distribution in the organization 65 3.3 Recommendations concerning improvements of innovative activity at the organization 67 CHAPTER 4 SPECIAL PART 73 4.1 Current trends in the field 73 4.2 Company policy in the market 75 CHAPTER 5 RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS 77 5.1 Statement for recommendations at Company 77 CHAPTER 6 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE ENTERPRISE 79 6.1 The aim of occupational health 79 6.2 Organization of occupational health and safety at the enterprise 86 CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 92 7.1 Environmental issues in the field 92 7.2 Еnvironmental factors 94 Conclusions 96 References 98 Appendices 10

The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence in the Home: Products, Services, and Broader Developments of Consumer Oriented AI

Current home automation system merges a family\u27s lifestyle with the latest technology & energy management tools to simplify people\u27s lives. It allows users to easily manipulate a variety of home systems, including appliances, security systems, and environmental systems. Setting up a home automation system confuses many consumers. Multiple product lines and platforms make choosing the best system difficult. Basic requirements of setting up a home automation system and the comparison between different platforms are explained. An intelligent home automation system makes intelligent decisions to control a home. This type system might use a weather report to adjust a home\u27s lawn watering schedule, as well as adjust the thermostat for temperature control in the home. Traditional home automation systems require human decision making to control the home system. The future intelligent home will require less human interactions, that can do things automatically after it learns patterns from us. A new generation requires more developed AI to control the smart home automation. Based on the technology we have now, the possible consumer-oriented AI technology is predicted in this paper. When the market is growing rapidly, companies are supposed to have better opportunities to make money. Due to the increasing popularity of home automation systems, the competition is very intense. Companies try the best to take the first mover advantage. Three suggestions are made to help those companies to build their strategies

Siri Humphrey: Design Principles for an AI Policy Analyst

This workgroup considered whether the policy analysis function in government could be replaced by an artificial intelligence policy analyst (AIPA) that responds directly to requests for information and decision support from political and administrative leaders. We describe the current model for policy analysis, identify the design criteria for an AIPA, and consider its limitations should it be adopted. A core limitation is the essential human interaction between a decision maker and an analyst/advisor, which extends the meaning and purpose of policy analysis beyond a simple synthesis or technical analysis view (each of which is nonetheless a complex task in its own right). Rather than propose a wholesale replacement of policy analysts with AIPA, we reframe the question focussing on the use of AI by human policy analysts for augmenting their current work, what we term intelligence-amplified policy analysis (IAPA). We conclude by considering how policy analysts, schools of public affairs, and institutions of government will need to adapt to the changing nature of policy analysis in an era of increasingly capable AI

Maximize Your Decision-Making: A Review of Emerging Technology Trends

Provides overview of new technologies (both software and hardware) that could become the next big thing